Appeal receives Marvel-lous support from US TV star

A South Yorkshire actress, made famous for her role in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, has pledged her support for a Doncaster fundraising appeal.

Elizabeth Henstridge, who stars in the ABC television series, has thrown her support behind the St John’s Hospice Development Appeal.

The 26 year-old, who plays Jemma Simmons, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D that specialises in life sciences for both humans and aliens, says she decided to back the appeal after hearing about it via her aunt, Debbie Sloan.

Debbie is a physiotherapist at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospice.

Elizabeth said of the appeal: “I’m pleased to support such a good cause.”

She added: “The St John’s Hospice Development Appeal needs to raise £500,000 and I ask local people to please make a donation or get involved in fundraising to help Doncaster folk who are coping with a long term or terminal illness.”

The St John’s Hospice development appeal, which was launched last year, has raised £72,256 towards the £500,000 funding gap needed to renovate the hospice, based on Weston Road in Balby.

Mel Hewitt, Hospice Community Fundraiser said of Elizabeth’s endorsement: “We are so pleased that Elizabeth is supporting our appeal.

She added: “We are honoured to have such a well-known actress helping us to promote what we are trying to do for the people of Doncaster.”

The hospice renovation will cost a total of £1.5million, providing a modern, welcoming, comforting and supportive environment for Doncaster patients facing a life-limiting illness – which includes cancer – along with their families, carers and friends.

Generous people across the borough have already dug deep for the hospice appeal, but organisers say they welcome any donations or fundraising efforts with over £75,000 still left to raise.

People looking to fundraise for the hospice can ring 01302 796666.

Alternatively, donations can also be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/St-Johns-Hospice or texting HKOK98 to 70070 followed by the amount that you wish to give.

Following in the footsteps of charity stars

Elizabeth Henstridge is just the latest South Yorkshire star to help fundraise for charitable causes across the region.

- Doncaster heart-throb, and one fifth of global pop phenomenon One Direction, Louis Tomlinson, is a patron of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and has helped to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

Most recently, Louis swapped a microphone for the beautiful game, and played for Doncaster Rovers against Rotherham United in a charity match in aid of Bluebell Wood in February, when thousands of 1D fans travelled to Doncaster to see him play.

- Ben Parkinson MBE, who lost both legs and suffered brain injuries while serving in Afghanistan, is a patron of the Pilgrim Bandits charity and has participated in numerous events and challenges in aid of the cause. He will retrace daring World War Two mission, Operation Frankton this summer.